System and method for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources

Abstract

The disclosure depicts both a system for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources as well as a method of operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources. Both the system and method require a primary source, an air conditioning compressor, and a motor generator. A respective shaft extends from each of these required components, and a respective pulley is mounted to each of the respective shafts, and a single belt engages each respective pulley.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources, the system comprising:
 a primary drive pulley coupled to a primary drive shaft that extends from a primary source;   a sprag bearing having an inner race engaging the primary drive shaft and an outer race engaging the primary drive pulley, the sprag enabling rotation of the inner race relative the outer race in a single chosen direction of rotation;   a motor generator pulley coupled to a motor generator shaft that extends from a motor generator;   an air conditioning compressor pulley coupled to an air conditioning compressor shaft that extends from an air conditioning compressor;   a belt engaging each of the drive shaft pulley, the motor generator pulley, and the air conditioning compressor pulley; wherein,   the sprag bearing prevents rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when torque is imparted through the primary drive shaft, and wherein,   the sprag bearing enables rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when the primary drive pulley is rotated by torque transmitted to the primary drive pulley by the belt.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , the system further comprising
 a drive housing adapted to allow the drive shaft to pass therethrough;   a reduced-diameter portion of the primary drive shaft positioned adjacent a terminal end of the primary drive shaft; wherein,   the sprag bearing is coupled to the reduced diameter portion of the primary drive shaft.   
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the reduced diameter portion extends outside the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 2 , further comprising a support bearing mounted to the primary drive shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 3 , wherein an inner portion of the support bearing engages the primary drive shaft and an outer portion of the support bearing engages within the drive housing. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a drive housing having an entrance opening and an exit opening, the drive housing adapted to allow the primary drive shaft to pass therethrough;   wherein a drive gear configured to mesh with a bull gear is positioned adjacent the entrance opening.   
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 6 , further comprising
 a portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing; and wherein,   the inner race of the sprag bearing engages the portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing.   
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 6 , the primary drive pulley comprising a belt-engaging portion and an elongate portion; wherein, the outer race of the sprag bearing engages an interior of the elongate portion. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 6 , the drive housing having a narrowed portion that is cooperatively formed to fit within and engage at least a portion of an interior of the primary drive pulley. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a switch to selectively activate the motor generator; and,   a clutch to selectively enable relative rotation of the air conditioning compressor shaft relative the air conditioning compressor pulley.   
     
     
         11 . A method of operating an air conditioning compressor from alternative sources, the method including the steps of
 providing a primary source, an air conditioning compressor, and a motor generator;   equipping the primary source with a primary drive pulley coupled to a primary drive shaft;   equipping the motor generator with a motor generator pulley coupled to a motor generator shaft;   equipping the air conditioning compressor with an air conditioning compressor pulley coupled to an air conditioning compressor shaft;   providing a sprag bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the sprag bearing enabling rotation of the inner race relative the outer race in a single chosen direction of rotation;   engaging the inner race to the primary drive shaft;   engaging the outer race to the primary drive pulley;   engaging a belt with each of the drive shaft pulley, the motor generator pulley, and the air conditioning compressor pulley;   configuring the sprag bearing to prevent rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when torque is imparted through the primary drive shaft;   further configuring the sprag bearing to allow rotation of the primary drive shaft relative the primary drive shaft pulley when the primary drive pulley is rotated by torque transmitted to the primary drive pulley by the belt.   
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 11 , the method further comprising the steps of
 providing a drive housing adapted to allow the primary drive shaft to pass therethrough;   forming a reduced-diameter portion adjacent a terminus of the primary drive shaft; wherein,   coupling the sprag bearing to the reduced diameter portion of the primary drive shaft.   
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the primary drive shaft extends outside the drive housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of mounting a support bearing to the primary drive shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of engaging an inner portion of the support bearing with the primary drive shaft; and,
 engaging an outer portion of the support bearing with the drive housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of
 passing the primary drive shaft into an entrance opening of the drive housing and out from an exit opening of the drive housing; and,   positioning a drive gear is adjacent the entrance opening, and, meshing the drive gear with a bull gear of a motor.   
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , further comprising
 extending a portion of the primary drive shaft outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing; and   engaging the inner race of the sprag bearing with the portion of the primary drive shaft that extends outwardly from the exit opening of the drive housing.   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , the primary drive pulley comprising a belt-engaging portion and an elongate portion; wherein, the outer race of the sprag bearing engages an interior of the elongate portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 12 , the drive housing having a narrowed portion that is cooperatively formed to fit within and engage at least a portion of an interior of the primary drive pulley. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of
 deactivating the primary source; and,   activating the motor generator to impart a rotating torque to the motor generator shaft; and,   transmitting the rotating torque to the air conditioning compressor.